Integration of Regional Road and Rail Networks and their Interface with Ports

[ozbob]

Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 3:39 PM
Subject: New parliamentary report due next week on transport infrastructure

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House of Representatives - Email alert service
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Issued by: House of Representatives Liaison & Projects Office, Friday 10
August 2007

The integration of regional rail and road networks and their interface
with ports

Final Report: Embargoed until tabling - expected at 1.00 pm, Monday 13
August 2007

On Monday, the House of Representatives Transport and Regional Services
Committee will release its report on the Integration of Regional Road
and Rail Networks and their Interface with Ports.

Report Release
The report is due to be tabled on Monday 13 August 2007 in the House of
Representatives by Committee Chair, Paul Neville MP, at approximately
1.00 pm. Ms Sharon Bird MP will also provide a tabling statement.

The inquiry was announced in March 2005. The Committee received 194
submissions, conducted 30 public hearings and made numerous inspections
of transport infrastructure during the course of the inquiry.

Embargoed Copies
Embargoed copies of the report will be available to members of the
Parliament House Press Gallery from the Committee Secretariat in Suite
R1 121 from approximately 10.30 am on Monday 13 August 2007.

Media Conference
The committee will conduct a media conference in Committee Room 2R1, at
1.30 pm on Monday, following the tabling of the report.

After tabling: Copies of the report can be obtained by contacting the Committee
secretariat on (02) 6277 2352, emailing Trs.Reps@aph.gov.au or on the
Committee's website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/index.htm

[ozbob]

Regional rail and road networks inquiry - Report of House Committee
on Transport and Regional Services

Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 1:38 PM
Subject: Regional rail and road networks inquiry - Report of House Committee
on Transport and Regional Services


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House of Representatives - Email alert service
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Issued by: House of Representatives Liaison & Projects Office, Monday 13
August 2007

Regional rail and road networks inquiry
Report of House Committee on Transport and Regional Services

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport and
Regional Services today released its report for the inquiry into the
Integration of Regional Road and Rail Networks and their Interface with
Ports.

The inquiry found that many of Australia's ports suffer from
deficiencies in their transport and logistics infrastructure. The
deficiencies are varied: missing supply links; a lack of rail capacity;
bypasses, lack of ring roads or road and rail loops needed to reduce
traffic congestion in port approaches.

Predictions indicate that the freight task will double by 2020. This
means bold measures will be needed to equip the transport sector to deal
with that growth.

It is important, the Committee said, that emerging technologies are
incorporated into Australia's transport network as quickly as possible.
For example, double-stacking of containers, modern signalling systems
for railways and the development of inter-modal hubs in capital cities,
can all contribute to the network's ability to handle the growing task.

The depth of water available in the channels of some ports, notably
Melbourne, is a cause for concern. The world-wide trend is to larger and
larger cargo vessels. Already, many of the vessels servicing Australian
ports cannot navigate the channels when fully loaded.

Another major concern is the deteriorating condition of rural rail lines
used to transport the grain harvest. The consequence of this situation
is additional traffic pressure on regional roads that were not designed
for heavy freight vehicles. However, the Committee received evidence
from Canada on a methodology that could revitalise those lines.

Mr Vince O'Rourke, formerly of Queensland Rail, issued a challenge to
the Australian government sector. He proposed that instead of simply
patching and repairing the ageing rail network, Australia should build
new lines based on the latest technology and offering a major increase
in the speed and efficiency of rail operations. Mr O'Rourke felt that
the proposed North-South rail line would be the opportunity to
demonstrate this.

The Committee has made 25 recommendations. It has proposed that, as a
matter of urgency, the Australian Government assist in resolving
Melbourne's difficulties over the proposed deepening of the access
channel to the port. Other recommendations propose the provision of
funds to allow a major effort to be made to overcome the main problems
hampering the transport network's access to ports.

Another issue is the long-standing problem of disagreement and neglect
affecting road and rail connections across state and shire borders. The
Committee has recommended that the Australian Government provide funding
for the establishment of Commissions, involving each jurisdiction, to
deal with those problems.

The Committee considers that adoption of its recommendations is
essential to ensure that Australia's transport network is up to the
challenge of the next twenty years.

The Committee said that during the course of the inquiry it received 194
submissions, held 30 public hearings and carried out numerous
inspections of important examples of transport infrastructure.

To arrange media comment, please contact: Paul Neville, House Transport
and Regional Services Committee Chair, on (02) 6277 4940.

For further information, including copies of the report, please visit
the Inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/
<http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/index.htm>


Issued by:
Liaison & Projects Office, House of Representatives
Tel: (02) 6277 2392 w



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[ozbob]

This report confirms what RAIL Back On Track and many others have been projecting for some time.
The future of transport  in Australia is rail.

RAIL Back On Track will be putting out a national media release in due course.

Media release is here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=191.0

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Inquiry into integration of regional rail and road networks and their interface with ports

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/